This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
As the impeachment process against President Trump gains momentum, it's essential to consider the potential consequences of this move. While Trump's actions on the call with the Ukrainian president may be impeachable, the process itself could be detrimental to the country.
Impeachment is a political process, not a legal one, and there's no obligation to prosecute. Congress is supposed to act in the best interest of the country, but this process could have far-reaching and negative effects.
One of the primary concerns is that impeachment will likely achieve nothing. To remove Trump from office, at least 20 Republican senators would need to vote to convict him, which is highly unlikely. This means that Trump will likely be acquitted by the Senate, and the process will only serve to further polarize the country.
Furthermore, this process will give 100 millionaire senators a voice in selecting the president, while millions of Americans will be left out of the decision-making process. This is particularly concerning given that the presidential candidates are already focused on issues like healthcare, jobs, and climate change, not impeachment.
As the conversation around impeachment dominates Twitter, it's essential to remember that this is not what the broader populace wants to talk about. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that only 37 percent of Americans support impeachment, and voters are more concerned with the issues that affect their daily lives.
By pursuing impeachment, Democrats are playing into Trump's hands. Trump has no policy agenda, but he's skilled at waging reality TV personality wars against coastal elites. This process will only serve to further Trump's narrative and reinforce his populist message.
Impeachment will also increase public cynicism and distort the Democratic primary process. The process will upstage the Democratic primaries, making it harder for candidates to get attention and for policy debates to be heard. Congressional Democrats will become the most visible party leaders, and the moderates may be further marginalized.
Ultimately, an election can save the country, but an inside-the-Beltway political brawl will not. Democrats should focus on running a normal campaign and letting the people decide, rather than rolling the dice on a risky and potentially costly process.
